Peninsula Gaming, one of the fastest growing casino and entertainment companies in the United States, announced Thursday (Feb. 24) that site preparation has begun on its $280 million casino and entertainment center located Mulvane, Kan., the Wellington Daily News reported

The Kansas Star Casino and Entertainment Center, which will span 170 acres in Sumner County south of Wichita will include a world-class gaming facility, restaurants, a 100,000-square-foot indoor equestrian arena, two hotels, retail shops and an RV park. The project will create about 1,440 operational jobs and 1,640 construction jobs.

“This week marks the beginning of a robust construction timeline that culminates with a grand opening next February,” said Scott Cooper, general manager, Kansas Star. “In addition to the $25 million license fee we paid the state of Kansas, we’ve also spent more than $10 million preparing to break ground, and we are excited that this vision will now become a reality.”

An interim gaming facility will open in early 2012 with the permanent gaming facility and 150-room hotel completed in January 2013. Peninsula Gaming plans to expand the facility again in January 2015 with an additional 150 hotel rooms and additional gaming facilities.

Last year, the state of Kansas chose Peninsula Gaming to operate the state-owned project, marking the company’s first casino in the state of Kansas. Its four other casino properties are located in Iowa and Louisiana and include: Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa; Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino in Opelousas, La.; Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa; and Amelia Belle Casino in Amelia, La.

“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for,” said Mulvane Mayor Jim Ford. “The advantages that Kansas Star will provide to our community are already apparent. The Kansas Star’s impact will allow us to do so many things in the future that would otherwise not be possible. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Peninsula Gaming so far and I look forward to continuing that partnership. It’s been beneficial to everybody.”

“This project is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” stated Janis Hellard, Sumner County Economic Development Director. “Very few projects ever generate this much capital investment or create this many job opportunities. The Peninsula project does not end with the building of the casino – the equestrian center, additional shopping, and the impact on local companies who will be vendors etc.; this project is unlike any other in the additional opportunities it brings with it.”

More than 1,000 Kansans – 800 from Sedgwick County – have submitted job applications. More than 200 businesses in Sedgwick County have signed up to do business with The Kansas Star, which is projected to create 1,440 operational jobs and 1,640 construction jobs.

“It’s a great time for a construction project of this magnitude to get started in our region”, said Tim Norton, Sedgwick County Commissioner. “The Kansas Star project will inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the MSA economy from the construction jobs and activity, through purchasing from preferred local vendors and the creation of much needed sustainable jobs for Sedgwick County.”